#1: Medications. They account for nearly half of the calls
to the helpline. Of course, almost all prescription meds pose a risk to dogs
and cats. But over-the-counter painkillers like Advil, Motrin, Tylenol, and
Aleve can cause liver failure and other life-threatening problems.

The next medication is so dangerous it has its own spot on
the list: Asthma inhalers. Most people think inhalers are pet-proof but dogs
can easily chew through them. And if that happens, they can receive 200
human-sized doses at once.

The 3rd leading cause of purse poisonings: Sugarless mints
and gum. The sugar substitute xylitol that’s found in mints, gum, vitamins and
toothpaste is highly toxic to dogs.;

Then there’s cigarettes, smokeless tobacco,
and nicotine patches. A cat or small dog can die from eating just 3 cigarettes.
So, if you suspect your pet has gotten into any nicotine-laced product, get
them to the vet immediately.

The final purse-poisoner is a staple in most
people’s bags: Hand sanitizer. A travel-sized bottle of sanitizer contains
enough alcohol to put small animals into a coma.

Veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker says that your best defense
against pet poisoning is to make sure your bags are always out of reach. And
keep the number of the Pet Poison Helpline, 800.213.6880, handy-just in case.